Get Organized Now! Newsletter by Maria Gracia http://www.getorganizednow.com Issue: May 18-24, 2008 Number of Subscribers: 181,999 ============================================ Hello {!firstname_fix} ============================================ ** Finally! An Affordable and Easy to Use Filing System for Your Home ** Are you drowning in the paper flood that pours into your home every day? You know...the endless stream of bills, warranties, receipts, important documents, user manuals, bank statements, letters, promotions, insurance papers, employment and medical information, school papers. Need I go on? How you deal with that paper determines whether you live in an atmosphere of calm and control or clutter and chaos. Along with chaos comes frustration, tension and conflict--all because of the never-ending paper flood. But have no fear. Now you can easily gain total control of your vital paper information -- instantly, easily and happily-- with My Oh-So-Organized Filing System (just released and hot off the press!) Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html P.S. Find out how you can get a BONUS Tickler file system-- complimentary! ============================================ 7 Habits to Ensure You're Being Efficient Efficiency is the new buzz word with increased concern about the environment being energy efficient. But what about our own ability to be efficient both at home and at work? What does being efficient mean to you? A dictionary defines efficiency as 'the state or quality of being efficient; competency in performance or the accomplishment of or ability to accomplish a job with a minimum expenditure of time and effort.' Make sure you own time and not the other way around. This article and the ensuing tips are not about striving for perfection, but instead about allowing yourself the opportunity to make better use of your time throughout the day. Organizing and simplifying your life are important steps to be taken in order to be the most efficient you can be. A well organized office space or home will help you stay efficient. Above all, when thinking about increasing your efficiency rate, remember to take care of yourself. Good food, plenty of rest, lots of water, and exercise will allow you to function at your best. 1. Schedule your day- Either at the beginning of each day or the night before, plan out each day. You are only one person and you probably won't be able to do everything. Use a schedule to organize your day into time blocks. Write out a daily to-do list (electronic or in a notebook) and prioritize items by importance. Remember, only schedule around 70 percent of your day. The other 30 percent will be filled with interruptions, travel time between appointments and errands, and sometimes emergencies. 2. Prioritize-Prioritize-Prioritize. List to-do items by order of importance and label each item by importance and urgency. Make items that are extremely important stand out by marking them with red ink, a highlighter, or a star. Only focus on a limited number of actions per day. 3. Multi-task small projects and details- Although, multi-tasking does not work for everyone or every project (note: I wouldn't suggest trying to multi-task while writing a term paper), cooking supper while talking on the phone, or ironing while watching TV or listening to the radio can be effective. Try reading a book on the subway or bus, or a book on tape while driving to and from work. It’s more efficient and a good use of time to do simple tasks simultaneously. ----- P.S. Get organized once and for all! You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free. Get 2,175 organizing tips, ideas and techniques to help you organize your home, your time and your life! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffhome.html P.P.S. You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free at the office too! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/foffoffice.html ----- 4. Say NO more often- Recognize what your priorities are. If someone requests something of you that you are unable to do comfortably or does not fit into your priorities, 'just say no.' 5. Delegate as much as possible- You can't do everything alone. Allow others around you to help out. Allow friends, family, co-workers, your partner or your children to assist around the house and/or office. Many people find this difficult because they feel they are the only one who can do it right. Start off with small steps. Don't hand over an entire project, but instead a step that will save you time and energy. Make sure you remember to thank these people appropriately. 6. Organize- The more things that are organized both within the home and work environment, the faster work will get finished and the higher quality your work will be. Make lists for yourself and others. Create inboxes and action files. 7. Control your procrastination- Many of us are procrastinators at heart, although for different reasons. One common phrase used to help combat procrastination is 'do the worst thing first.' At the beginning of each day, do the one item that stands out the most on your to-do list, or your most dreaded item. Set daily goals for yourself and plan lots of rewards. ============================================ New Stuff and Site Updates Everything below is accessible by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com Please note that we update our site on a weekly basis, so the new stuff and site updates below may only be available for one week. ** Get Organized Now! Blog: Department 2 Read my personal comments, stories tips and observations about getting and staying organized in today's hectic world. You don't want to miss it. Newest entries: * 05/17 - Yum! Fresh Herbs! * 05/10 - Happy Mother's Day * 05/08 - Children Don't Hear Fire Alarms * 05/08 - Latest Read: Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas * 04/29 - It's worth it to ask * 04/22 - Buckle Up - It's So Important * 04/22 - TV TurnOff Week * 04/15 - Send Them An E-Vite * 04/13 - Advice on Philadelphia Hotels? * 04/07 - Would You Like Paper or Plastic? http://getorganizednow.typepad.com/get_organized_now_weblog/ ** Discussion Forum: Department 13 A reader posts, 'About once a month, I put 'Declutter Day' on my calendar. This day is about getting things off surfaces and putting things away. I put a laundry basket and trash bag downstairs and a laundry basket and trash bag or two upstairs, and walk around with the basket-- putting things in the basket that are out of place or are just plain cluttered.' Join this reader in adding your own Declutter Day to your calendar! Go to the link below and look for the bedroom with the skylight. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#forum ** May Web Poll Our featured multiple choice question is, 'Do you have hobbies or pastimes that you enjoy?' Go to the following link and cast your vote. It only takes a minute, and your opinion can be heard. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/#webpoll ** May Monthly Checklist: Department 1 Dance happily into the month of May, organized and fancy- free. Today is a great day to start with our NEW May Monthly Checklist. Go to the link below and look for the colorful flowers. http://www.getorganizednow.com/#checklist * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ Goodies to help you get organized! Tired of being disorganized? You can be Finally Organized, Finally Free BOTH at home AND at the office. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/newbook.html JUST RELEASED! My Oh-So-Organized Filing System. You won't believe how organized your papers are going to be. You'll have a filing label for every category you can imagine, ready to peel and stick on your file folders. It's basically an awesome home filing system in a box! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/filing.html The 2007 holiday season is behind us, but it's the perfect time to start getting organized for holiday season 2008! The earlier, the better. Plus, find out how you can get a copy of Maria's latest e-book, 101 Holiday Tips and Ideas. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/holidayp.html Are you looking for the perfect organizer that can help you keep track of your schedule, birthdays, to do's, home inventory, groceries, and more? If so, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezorganizer.html Discover how to start, manage and grow your very own professional organizing business. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ultimateguide.html Have a business? Thinking of starting one? Visit our Give to Get site and get your complimentary idea-kit. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/marketingsolution.html Give your aching shoulder a break. TuffBaggs are super tough, but light as feather. Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/tuffbaggs.html Pay your bills on time, and have an organized place to put your statements afterwards? Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/ezbill.html Access details for all of our products by visiting: http://www.getorganizednow.com/orderdet.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers As a busy mom, occasionally we have to swing through a drive-through for a quick meal in between work and evening activities. Eating in the car can be hard for kids to manage a drink, sandwich and fries without making the backseat a total mess. I keep a couple of shoe boxes in the backseat for this purpose. They can lay a napkin on the bottom and it holds their food nicely in their own little tray. Spills of ketchup or crumbs remain in the box--not on my seats. I use a plastic shoe box that I purchased specifically for this purpose. It is nice, since it can be easily wiped out when you are finished and reused! Cammi Kruse Cosmos, MN Cammi is married with 2 boys ages 6 and 9. * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ A Few Words From Our Sponsors . . . ===== ** Finally, You Can Pay Off All Your Bills . . . Without Pinching Pennies or Cutting Your Spending ** Would you like to begin controlling your finances, once and for all? Did you know that you can pay off all your bills, including your mortgage, in less than 10 years without having to pinch pennies, get a second job or cut back your spending in any way? It's true, and it's easier than you think. I highly encourage you to visit my friend Leo's web site to find out how you can do just that. He offers the best program I've seen to help you say goodbye to your money worries--forever. Visit: http://www.leoquinn.com/cmd.php?af=250440 Maria Gracia P.S. Visit today to find out how you can get 7 extra special bonuses with Leo's program that are not normally available! ===== This Amazing Tool Saved Me an Incredible $884 on Groceries Last Year! I have good news. I recently came across a product that I consider to be the most innovative coupon organizer that I've ever seen. Since I started using this coupon organizer, I have saved over an hour each week, because I no longer cut out duplicate coupons and I can see everything I have at a glance. Plus, I saved an incredible $884 in groceries last year, and it looks like I'm going to save even more this year. All because of this wonderful organizer. It really pays for itself in just one shopping trip! If you like to save time and money on your grocery shopping, you'll definitely want to take a look at this award-winning tool. They even have a neat demo video: http://www.MrsAsCouponOrganizer.com/getorgnow.html Maria Gracia Get Organized Now! P.S. For this week only, ending on midnight, May 24th, the creators of this organizer are offering a special 33% discount exclusively available to readers of the Get Organized Now! Newsletter ===== ** What's The REAL SECRET Behind Happily Married Couples? ** How compatible are you and the person you are with? How would you know? Just because you like the same types of foods and pets does not mean that you can have a blissful, long-term relationship. Do you know why your mate does or doesn't attend church? Do you know how they really think about the way you dress? Do you know what your sweetheart is truly passionate about? How about what irritates them and makes them blue? An estimated 83% of divorces would not take place if couples asked each other the right questions. Visit: http://getorgnow1.couples.hop.clickbank.net/ ============================================ An Organizing Tip From One Of Our Readers When a baby shower was given for me a few years ago, the attendees all filled out envelopes with their name and address at the shower. When it came time to send my thank you notes, poof, the hard part was already completed for me. I saw this done again for a friend of mine a few weeks ago and my self addressed note just arrived. This simple system can be a great help to a bride-to-be or expectant Mommy! Liz Mikitarian Titusville, FL * * * * * Submit your favorite organizing tip! Visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/readertip.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * AOL Users Link ============================================ On the Calendar * Monday, May 19th: Adelaide Cup Day (SA): a thoroughbred horse race held in South Australia. It is handicap race run over two miles at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide Australia. The big prize money attracts owners, trainers and jockeys across the country and from overseas. But it's also a day of glitz, glamour and socializing. * Monday, May 19th: Victoria Day (Canada): a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the last Monday before or on May 24 in honor of both Queen Victoria's birthday and the current reigning Canadian sovereign's birthday. * Friday, May 23rd through Monday, May 26th: Memorial Day Weekend (US): a federal holiday that commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3PM US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers place a U.S. flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery. Many politicians and community leaders give speeches at community gatherings on Memorial Day. In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer. http://en.wikipedia.org/ ============================================ In Closing We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry. -- E.B. White And remember . . . there's no better time to get organized, than to Get Organized Now! Warmly, Maria Gracia Get Organized Now! http://www.getorganizednow.com ============================================ (c) Copyright 2008 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now! * Copyright, contact and reprint information: http://www.getorganizednow.com/contact.html * You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in. * We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list. * To subscribe, visit: http://www.getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html * To unsubscribe, click the link at the bottom of this e-mail. You are subscribed to our list as: {!name} {!email} ============================================